


j|^h^ Imerican |^oIkge and l^ducation ^ocieln: 



Formed May 27, 1874, by the union of the American Educa- 
tion Society and the Society for the Promotion of Collegiate and 
Theological ^Education : Helps worthy young men into the 
ministry and aids as many Colleges and Theological Seminaries 
as are needed in the new States: Needs :^t5o,ooo a year. 

I. Men. In 58 years, more than 6000 young men have been 
helped into the ministry. In ability, scholarship and usefulness, 
they are the peers of their brethren that have not needed aid. 
Nearly one Jialf of all our Congregational ministers have thus 
been aided; and the ratio is increasing. Sixty years' experience 
shows conclusively that this work can not be neglected luithout great 
harm to the Churches. 

II. Colleges and Seminaries. In 31 years, three Theolog- 
ical Seminaries and sixteen Colleges have been aided for the 
Congregationalists and the Presbyterians. The Colleges are 
distributed in eleven States whose average area equals that of all 
New England, and whose whole area is ninety times greater than 
that of Massachusetts. 

All these are younger than Amherst College ; yet they are 
already t\irnishing one third oi all our liberally educated ministers. 
The ratio is fast increasing. 



III. These two parts of our work are closelv related 

I. Their aim is the same : To furnish' a godly and 
learned ministry. ':- M 4. ^^ i ' 

■ 2. Their means and forees act, to a great degree^ upon 
the same individuals. Of more than one fourth of 
all the college-bred men now entering the Con- 
gregational ministry these two things may be 
safely said : 

(i ) That they never would have been liberally ed- 
ucated had not these Colleges been planted : 

(2) That they never would have aimed for the. 
ministry, had they not expected aid in pre- 
paring. Thus this Society saves to the pro- 
- fession one half of all our ministers once, and 
one fourth of them tii'ice. 

IV. We are asking the Churches to care for them- 
selves. Even Avhat they give to these distant Colleges largely re- 
turns to themselves in the shape of able ministers. The gift comes 
back at once to bless the giver. A part, to be sure, goes to other 
lands ; a larger part lingers on tlie frontier ; but the very Churches 
that have given receive their full share in the blessing. This So- 
ciety is now working quite as much for the East as for the West. 
It boldly appeals to all the Ministers and Churches. The union 
has been made in compliance with their wishes ; now let them 
express approval by putting this cause upon the schedule for 
yearly contributions. Let no Church fail to give because it is 
weak. It is not too weak to need a minister ; and tiiat.is the re- 
turn that will be made for its o:ifts. ,. .. .. •-• * 



XegJect is sure to cause suffering to two classes : 

First, the yonng men, who, whenever their quarterly stipend 
ails, are. greatly distressed. 

Second, ihe Pj'ofessors in otir younger Colleges^ Avhose meagre 
sahiries this Society must help pay. 

Let the Churches rally to this their common work. And let 
:he rally be made in 1875 

For the Society,' 

William A. Buckingham, President, 

^Increase X. Tarbox, / 

Horatio Q. Butterfield, ( ^'^^- Secretaries. 

James M. Gordon, 

32 Cong. House, Boston, 

Treasurer. 

Rev. H. O. Butterfield, 

62 Bible House, New York, 

Assist, Treasurer, 

December ^ i^74 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

019 623 528 



